2 S'l'A!Uff FLAG WEEKLY. His corning bad been the signal for the start. A moment later the little steamer's prow was cutting the muddy, bloodstained waters of Havana harbor. Close to the wreck of the United States' once proud battleship Maine passed the Fern. Standing on deck, General Lee and his immediate party had bared their heads in silent respect and grief for the two hundred and sixty-six sailors whom Spanish treachery had destroyed. General Lee believed that he had succeeded in bringing the last A 111erican away. He certainly had, so far as he kuew. He had done his duty like an American. \'et, all unknown to him, one American remained behind-Hal Maynard, the boy who now stood watching the receding Fern with a look of mingled anxiety and wistfulness. Suddenly Hal uncovered. His glance had rested on the Stars and Stripes at the steam er' s stern. It was a courageous thing to do-to salute the hated Yankee flag in this stronghold of that flag's bitterest enemies. But Hal did it, without bluster or hesitation. There was a choking sensation in the boy's throat; tears glistened in his eyes. "My country's flag," he murmured brokenly. "May God always bless your folds, and protect them! May those Stars and Stripes soon come back here, and float a supreme warning that treachery and tyranny can never flourish in the New World!-'' It may be that some of the Spaniards grouped about him heard him. If so, they did not understand, or it would have been worse for this American boy. "The senor does not like our climate!" Jeeringly the words were uttered. Half turning, Maynard gazed unto tl 1 e speaker's eyes. The _latter was a Spaniard, a peon or laborer. Raggeil, barefooted, dirty, lie had the appearance of a mau half-starved. The fellow's tattered sombrero restecl at au angle on his head. His gleaming, glittering eyes, made brighter by that uoudescript illness, slow starvation, had an ugly light in them. In whatever direction l\1aynard turned he saw others like this fellow-thousands of them. Every wharf and pier, every building near the water front, every available spot of view was crowded by Spaniards wl10 had come out to watch the departure of America's consul general, and, watching, to jeer. It was no use to gaze longer after the Fern, yet Hal Maynard found himself unable to stir. "If I never see the flag again. I must see it to the last to-day," he murmured. "Senor does not 1 i ke our climate?" again jeered the fellow at his elbow. Hal made no answer, not even tnrn iug this time. But his tormentor would not quit. "Perhaps it is our people that the senor does not like? I have heard that there were some Americans who do 11ot love the Spanish!'' Still Hal stood with his eyes fastened on the flag. ''If the se11or is a good friend of Spain," continued the fellow, with mocking insinuation, "he will shout, 'viva Espana!'" Long live Spain? Hal Maynard would have died a dozen deaths sooner than utter such a detestable wish Those black, glea.ming eyes were fastened on him pitilessly, until-until the tormentor found himself ignored. Then he swiftly turned to his fellow Spaniards. "Here is an American!'' he cried. A laughi11g chorus greeted the an no11ncem en t. "He wanted to go home!"

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8TAURY FLAG WEEKLY. 3 More laughter greeted this stupid sally. "And now," continued the announcet, "he is crying to find himself left here with us!" "There is yet time for him to swim after the vessel!" jibed another Spaniard. ''Or let him cruise home on the Maine!" At this there was a cyclonic burst of laughter. Instantly the other Spaniards began to cast about for sayings which the crowd : would regard as being witty. Hal Maynard's eyes flashed. A fight would be helpless-hopeless, leaving him only the fate of death at the hands of this jibing, vicious mob. Yet no sooner was the word "Maine" uttered than he turned ()nce more to \vhere the wreck of the Maine lay and lifted his hat "?ith a motion of reverence. It was grit-clear grit! That much even the Spaniards could appreciate. It was a defiance, too, and in a moment a1igry murmur
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II 4 STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. their necks to see whether this Yankee blanched. But Hal, though he knew that a spark would be sufficient to touch off a mine of Spanish mob-treachery, retained his composure. "I am in a hurry, if you please," he said, trying to edge his way through. The crowd pretended to make way, yet each Spaniard took pains to get only more in the way. They were playing with him, as a cat does with a mouse, enjoyiug their sport with true feline ferocity. One of the crowd suddenly divined our hero's purpose. "He wants to reach that English ship. The gringo fancies he will be safer there than with us. Let us convince him that our hospitality is genuine." Still laughing, the crowd made way for Hal to pass of' the pier, but the in:;tant that he tried walk along the shore in the direction of the bridge, he found himself confronted by the dense ranks of a barring crowd. "No, no, senor! Straight back into Havana.'' "I guess I might as well go to a hotel," Hal acquiesced, inwardly. "From there, an hour later, I may be able to get a closed carriage to the brig.'' There was a driver within call. To him Hal signaled. 'f he jehu came up, but on hearing the name of the hotel, he shook his head and scowled. "No, no, senor," he protested, "I cannot drive Yankees." "I wiJl walk, then," rejoined Hal. But the crowd protested that he must ride. "If the senor will pay three fares," declared the jehu, "I wil 1 take him." "Very well," muttered Hal, stepping into the carriage. "Ha! Senor Maynard, wait I I must see you!" cried a man, making his way through the crowd. "Vasquez!" thrilled tb 'Joy, recognizing his accoster. Then, for the first time that day, Hal Maynard turned pale. CHAPTER II. JUAN RAMIREZ INTRODUCES HIMSELF. Senor Vasquez, a middle-aged Spaniard w!th the air of a prosperous merchaut, pushed his way through to the carriage. The crowd, sce11ting as if by instinct { some new trouble for the boy, made way for the newcomer. Vasquez's eyes glittered. He regarded the boy with a look of evil triumph, though his 1nanner, as he stepped into the carriage, was fa ul tlessl y diploma tic. "You will excuse my iutrnsion ?'' he begged. "I shall have to," was Hal>s cold re joinder. "I was anxious to see you. This meeting has given me great pleasure." 'fhen, loweri11g his voice, he added: "Senor Maynard, yonr elllployer owes me, as you know, two thousand dollars. I must have that money at once." "If Mr. Richardson owes you any thing," replied Hal, "he will pay it." "Bah! Do you think I am so simple? Senor Richardson left yesterday for West.'' "I repeat," came firmly from Hal, "that, if he owes you anything he will pay it." "And I, my dear young friend," re joined the Spaniard, "assure you what I mean to collect from you. You have the money. I k11ow it." Hal tried not to stait at this cool piece of assurance. "I know," continued Senor Vasquez, if!. the same low tone, "where you col lected the money. I know just how much vou collected, and can tell you, to a

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f::il'AlntY FLAG WEEKLY. peseta, just how much you carry in a certain bag. Ha! my friend, you do not seem happy over my knowledge. But a trustworthy man of mine has followed you. You see that there is no use denying what my faithful agent told me." "Bnt did he kll you," smiled Hal, coolly, "where I took that bag?" Senor Vasqut:z changed color and hesitated. That was enough to show obst:rvant Hal that his "bluff" had a chance of w11111111g. "If he did not tell you that," resumed the Americau, "go back and cane your ageut for a sleepy fellow. Senor Vasquez, if you meant to wrest the money from me by force, you should have employed a better agent. Maynard's manner was so cool and con vincing that for a moment the Spaniard was staggered. "Ha!'' he cried, suddenly. ''\Vhate\'er you have doue with the money, you have not had chance to se11<1 1t out of Cuba, and your last chance to do that is gone. Perhaps yon will conclude to tell me where the money is." "Assuredly not," rejoined Hal, stoutly. "Now, if I were to make a few re marks abont you to the crowd which surges about this caniage, do you know what would happen to you?" "Certainly," replied Hal. ''I should be in danger of being killed." "Do you feel like taking the risk?" "If you were scoundrel enough, senor, I should be compelled to take it." Vasquez's black eye!; snapped danger "I have ly to say the word," he suggested. Hal was playing a desperate game. The thought drove some of the color from his cheeks. "Will you tell me where the money is?" insisted the Spaniard. "Suppose that I did not know, how could I tell you?'' \'asquez snorted impatiently, then beckoned to one of the leaders of the mob, who quickly approached. "Your last chance, Seuor Maynard," whispered the Spauiard. "I can tell you nothing." As Hal uttered these words he expected to be handed over to the Spanish u!ob. 'l'o his surprise Vasq nez 's ma uner swiftly changed. To the ring-leader Senor Vasquez said: "Pedro, I trnst that your friends will not molest this young man. He is i11. a measure under my protectiou." "Senor Vasquez's words always carry weight," was the quick, respectful answer. "My dear young frieud," weut on the Spaniard, "I may see ) ou again. If we do meet, I trnst I shall fiud you more gracious. '' With that the Spauiard slipped quickly from the carriage, and the
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6 FLAG WEEKLY. rich merchant, had seldom earned an honest dollar. He belonged to a Spanish type that has been common in Cul:ia. American merchants and planters, especially those who were new to the island, had been his especial game for years. He sought the acquaintance of such "new" Americans, tendered them his services and goods, and charged exorbitantly for both. Should an American planter protest, the crop in one of his sugar or tobacco fields was burned, nor was it long before the planter learned that "irrepressible friends of Senor Vasquez had rebuked a grasping foreigner.'' Should an American merchant protest at Vasquez's charges, something happened to the "impudent merchant's" stores or warehouses. Yet Vasquez himself had always kept on the safe side of the law, while cheerfully ruining Americans. They were simply compelled to submit to his extortions. One American, a planter, \ho had resolutely resisted the Spaniard, had been found dead, but the crime could be fastened on no one. J 11st before the outbreak of the Cu ban rebellion, Henry Richardson had started sngar plantations in the interior. He had fallen into Vasquez's hands at the ontset, and had been systematically plundered. Hal Maynard, who had come to Cuba a year before as Mr. Richardson's private secretary, had detected the Spaniard in several doubtful dealings. Naturally Vasqnez's feeling for our hero was far from cordial. While Hal and his employer were still in the interior, Vasquez had tried to involve them 111 trouble with the Spanish authorities. This menace Mr. Richardson had dodged by paying a liberal bribe to the officer commanding the nearest garrison. Nevertheless, 11101e dangers threatened these two Americans. Then Consul General Lee's call had come for Americans to leave Cuba. Mr. Richardson had gone day before. Hal had lingered long enough to collect two thousand dollars due his employer. This accomplished, he had traveled hastily to Havana, meaning to leave there on the historic ninth of April. We have seen how he had reached there too late. The money tliat Vasquez claimed as his due was the balance of an exorbitant bill. He had already been paid far more than he was entitled to. -But he had hoped to overtake and intimidate the American boy. The carriage drew up before the hotel door, which appeared deserted as, indeed, it was, for with money and food both scarce in Havana, the hotels stand but a poor show of patronage. "Your three fares, peon," said Hal, dropping a few corns in the hand. "Four pesetas more," insisted the driver. Hal paid it, without protest, and disap peared ins'i.de. He was quickly shown to a room, and requested that his trunk be sent up. "Although I ordered that sent here from tlte interior," he smiled, as he bent over the box, ''I expected to _leave it hind.'' Unlocking the lid, he examined the articles in the trunk for some moments, until a warning "Ss-sst !" reached his ear. Rising quickly, Hal saw from whence the signal had come. In the aperture made by an open sky light overhead appeared the head of a dark-skinned yonng man. His bright, restless eyes took in everything in the room, our hero included. "You are an American?" he asked, as Hal stepped under the skylight.

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STARR\ FLAG WEEKLY. 7 "Yes." "Then I am your friend. But have you an e11em y ?" "I-I fear I have." "Look out of the window toward the harbor. Then come bacl:-. '' Hal quickly obeyed, returning with a perturbed face. "Vou saw Senor Vasquez approaching, with two officers and a squad of soldiers?,, "Just that!" affirmed Hal. "The officers ha,e a pretense, but Vesquez will really seek your money. If you have it not with you,' or know a safe hiding place, you will fool him, but i'f the money is in your possession, it will surely be taken from you.'' Hal hesitated, regarding the speaker with a look full of penetration. What he saw was the frank, pleasing face of a youth of eighteen. Somehow, Hal's heart went out to the stranger. "If," said the other, "you have the money, and wish to save it, you can trust it with me, seuor.,, ""What could you do with it?" pro jected Hal. "Drop it into one of my pockets,,, added the other, adding with a laugh: "No one would search such a thin, ragged Cuban as I for the possession of so much money. But think quickly, senor, for Vasquez will be here in another moment. Juan Ramirez is my name." "A Cuban?" asked Hal. "See!" And Juan drew from a pocket what could easily become his death warrant-a small Cuban flag. This he kissed with a simple, unaffected air of devotion. "By Jove, 1211 trust you,,, >nurmured Hal. "I've yet to meet a Cuban thief!" R-rip In a second he began to 1111 button his clothing, bringing out to view from under his shirt a long, thin bag. "This contains twe thousand dollars," he whispered. "And if anything happens to you, to whom does the money belong?" "Henry Richardson, at Key \Vest." "He shall have it," promised the Cuban. "Hush! There are steps on the stairs.'' Like a flash, Ramirez vanished. "Ha\'e I been duped?" wondered Hal, with a quick thrill of apprehension. Ramirez had looked like a fellow to be trusted. Yet, if Hal had kept the money about him, it would soon pass into the hands of Vasquez, who would be able to persuade the Spanish judges that his claim was just. "If Ramirez has stolen it," qui\'ered Hal, "all I can say is that I'd sooner see him get it than Vasquez." Tramp! tramp! tramp! Reaching the head of t11e stairs, the soldiers were now marching straight for his door. Whack! thump! The door was thrown unceremoniously open, and the uniforms of Spain filled the room. CHAPTER III. "SPAXISII EVIDENCE." "This is the young man?" One of the two officers who appeared at the head of a file of a dozen soldiers turned and put the question to Senor Vasquez. That consummate liar responded by a nod of the head. Though Hal Maynard had not studied his attitude, he stood at that moment a typical young American. YVith feet rather spread, his hands thrust into his trousers pockets, shoulderc; manfully back and head inclining slight ly forward, he ignored Vasquez, but re garded the officers with a rather indolent look in which there was just a trace of curiosity. "A visitation, I presume?" he said, addressing one of the officers in Spanish.

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8 HTAHRY FLAG WEEKLY. But the latter, barely looking at him, turned to the other officer to command: "Search the trunk." ''It is locked," said Hal, stepping slowly forward. "Permit me to offer yon the key." The officer who received it merely grunted, and immediately knelt before the trunk. Hal stood by looki11g on, until one of the soldiers, after scowling at him an instant, darted forward and gave the boy a push. "If I am in your way," retorted Maynard, recovering his equilibrium, "won't you be kind enough to say so?'' ''Silence!'' ordered the commanding officer. Hal responded by a polite nod. "These officers don't belong to the mob, and they should be gentlemen," he 1mirrnured. "If they 're not, its not for me to set them the exnmple." Flop! went a lot of Hal's clothing, strewed promiscuously over the floor. Slap! followed his linen. Smash went a small hand mirror, flung across the room so that it struck the wall and landed on the floor in atoms. "May I ask a question, sir?" queried Hal, turning to the officer in charge. "Silence!" .!'I beg your pardon," went on Hal, imperturbably. "AU I wanted to ask was whether my property is to be ruthlessly destroyed before a charge has been even made against me?" "Silence!" "If I had committed auy breach of decorum in asking," pursued Hal, calmly, "please consider that I didn't ask." "Silence!" Thump! The butt of a soldier's musket landed forcibly in Hal's stomach. "Onch !" grnnted the boy. "Silence!" "Not even allowed to express 11atural emotion," murmured our hero. He couldn't have talked much in l1is breath less condition, just then, even if he wanted to. He saw the soldier's nrnsket-bntt aimed at him, and dodged as nimbly as he could. Click! Another soldier cocked his weapon, aiming fully at the American's head. At this the commanding officer smiled. Some of the soldiers laughed softly. They wanted to see the Yankee flinch, and were sure that he would-for had not their Havana newspapers told them that all the Yankees were cowards? But Hal, who felt reasonably sure that J1othing short of violence on bis part would result in his death just then, did not feel inwardly alarmed. Instead, he slowly folded his arms, closed one eye, and with the othersquinted down the steel barrel that stared him in the face. "Bah!" muttered he who had aimed, now raising the rnnz'lle of his piece. ."The Yankee pig doesn't even know what a gun is." "Silence!" came sharply from the command iug officer. "Well," mtmirnred Hal, under his voice, "I am gratified to learn that some body else besides myself has to hold his tongue. I wouldn't hke to do all the shutting-up!" ---It was all a picnic, so he fancied, since he was not only snre that the officers would find nothing compromisi11g, hut also sure that, whoever got the money, Senor Vasquez would not. Ent the Spaniard, who had been nar rowly watching the boy, now interposed: "Captain, may a civilian subject sug gest that the accused has not yet been searched?" "Senor," replied the captain, bowing slightly, "your loyal suggestion shall be at once acted t1pon. I myself will make the search."

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S'fARRY FLAG WEEKLY. 9 Thereupon the captain waived the soldiers away, most of them withdrawing to the corridor and doorway. "Stand beside the accused,'' ordered the captain, nodding at two of his men, who accordingly ranged themselves on either side of the American. "Senor," said the captai11, coldly, "you will understand that what I am about to do is a dt1ty imposed t1pon me." There was a trace of civility abot1t this, which caused Hal to reply politely: "If it is your dt1ty, captai11, I wot1ld _be the last one to urge you from it. But I can tell yon what I have about me. I ha Ye a pocket knife and a sum of money." "Mo11ey ?" uttered Vasquez, becoming alert at once. "It is mine-mine by right!" "You are mistaken," replied Hal,, coldly; "but if you n ee d it you may ha\'e it. I ha, e ouly three pt;:setas." ''Three pesetas?'' faltered the Spanish merchant. He looked as angry as a ma11 who is being rubbed, for three pesetas is but about sixty-ceuts. "You may have it," rejoined Hal, with mock generosity, ''if the officer per mits me to present it to you." Then he threw his hands up while the captain went through his pockets. That offic e r looked a trifle ashamed of his task, for an army officer is a gentleman, at least by education. But Hal's pockets, under the most rigid search, sl1owed no more than he had mentioned. "01r with your clotl1es, senor," the next com llland. Hal looked aud felt a trifle surprised, but saw that the ord e r was a serious on e "Shall I er-er-withdraw to the clo set before disrobi11g ?" he suggested. "Naturally not," was the dry answer. There was no help for it. Hal had to obey, which he did -with the poorest grace in the world. But he pas s ed throt1gh this ord ea l like the others without mishap, and was curtly informed that he cot1ld pt1t on his cloth-. 1Dg aga111. This Hal did, next standing at ease between the two soldiers. "Do yot1 find anything?" asked the captain, tt1rning to his subordinate. "Nothing," replied the lieutenant. "A mare's nest, eh?" smiled the captain, grimly. Hal duplicated the slllile, but in a more genial manner, then turned to look at Vasquez. But that Spaniard suddenly darted over to the trunk, knelt beside the lieutenant, and began to help rummage among the few remainiug articles there. "Ha! Here is something," announced Vasquez, holding up a slip of paper. Hal looked on, wide-eyed, for he knew well that no such paper had been among his possessions when he packed them. Then he gave a gasp, for he realized the Spaniard's game at last. That scoun drel, by some clever legerdemain, had slipped a paper among Maynard's effects. "Ho!" grunted the Spaniard, n11111ing his eyes over the page. "This is a note, apparently, from one of the com rades of that bandit chief, Gomez." He finished reading, while the captain stood looking calmly 011. "An A111erica11 plotter!" screamed "This is proof conclusive enough to meri't for him a dozen deaths if that were possible!" He held the page in one hand, point ing a denouncing finger at our startled hero. "Let me see it," commanded the cap tain. "A letter relating to a filibustering expedition, eh? This is, indeed, evidence. So!" turning to Maynard. "Yori are one of the Yankees who help his majesty's subjects to rebel. "Upon my honor," protested Hal, ":t know nothing abottt that letter." "Your hon or?'' c1ied the capta i n

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10 8TA.HRY FLAG WEEKLY. "Bah, you Yankee pig! Lieutenant, bring him along U,.J.Jder guard. To the Prefatnra." To the Prefatura To Havana's police headquarters? Over the door of that grim building might well be written, "All hope abandon, ye who enter here!" It was at the door of this building that all trace had been lost of countless Cuban insurgents, the members of their families, and of others who had in any way been suspected of sympathy with the cause of the rebels. From here, in the late hours of night, countless doomed ones had been led away, ostt:nsibly to imprisonment in Morro Castle or Cabanas Fortress-with this horrible peculiarity, that they had never reached their destinations or been heard from again To tl1e Prefatura For an instant, contemplating the letter which the captain now held in his hand, Hal felt his heart sinking utterly. "I was sure I could not be mistaken," murmured Senor Vasquez, softly. That voice aroused the American as the bite of a snake would have done. "Senor Vasquez," he cried, throwing his head back proudly, "we have not seen the end of this matter!" Then, bowing to the captain, Hal stepped between the two files of solGiers as they formed. Down tile stairs they started. Vasquez brought up the rear, gnashing his teeth. He had found no trace of the money. But perhaps he yet hoped to! CHAPTER IV. AT THE PREFATURA. Hal marched through the main entrance to the Prefatnra. His bearing was as proud as ever. He could not have shown more fortitude had he felt that the whole honor of Old Glory was resting on his youthful shoulders. He had marched for more than two miles through the streets, his military escort taking a roundabout course, as if they enjoyed displaying this dangerous captive to tl1e excited populace. He had been jeered at, jibed at, made the butt of hm1dreds of coarse jokes. At last he had reached the Prefatura. Senor Vasquez still brought up the rear. He carried himself with the air of one who wishes it ttnderstood that he has done his duty by his country. __ ___ In the corridor of the Prefatura Hal's escort halted until it could be learned be fore which official the prisoner was to be taken. In the same conidor were other prison ers, each under guard. 'rhere was only this difference: Hal Maynard v:as erect, rosy, healthy-looking. The other poor wretches, most of whom were women, were plainly Cubans. Their invariably starved appearance showed them to be reconcentrados-people from the interior who had been driven in by General Weyler's infamous order, and then left to starve. There was little, if any, acute terror in their faces. They had suffered so much, had witnessed so many atrocities, that they were indifferent to what was yet to come. Paris, during the Rdgn of Terror, was not snch d city of horrors as Havana has lately been! Captain Tamiva, Hal's chief" captor, still bearing the letter "found" in the boy's trunk, disappeared into one of the numerous offices opening npon the corri dor. He soon came back, ordering the soldiers to take their prisoner in. Hal fonnd himself arraigned before a stem-looking, elderly Spaniard. Before the latter, on his desk, lay the accusing letter.

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S'fARRY FLAG WEEKLY. 11 He looked up quickly, this official, shot a penetq1ting look into the boy's face, and marled out: "So you are anotl1er of the Yankee, pigs who root with our Cuban sucklings!" "1 am an American citizen, certainly," replied Hal. "A11
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12 STAIUW FLAG WEEKLY. human nature that Nlaynard spoke the truth. "I am not going to waste more time on you," went on the Spaniard, passion ately. "If yon send for me before it is too late, I will come. As you value even a few more days of life, don't tempt fate by taking the trip across the harLor to night!" Murmuring these words in the boy's ears, the scoundrel turned to dart way. As he did so, another man moved for war
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STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. 13 many protestations of thanks from Hal, he turned down one of the side streets to the water front. The narrow thoroughfares appeared de serted. He walked quickly. "Now, that was stupid of me," muttered the boy, after going a quarter of a mile. "Why didn't I think to ask who it was that took word to Mr. Gollan? Could it have been Ramirez?>' "Senor! senor!" whispered a voice through the shutters of a window. "Walk faster, and remember that you being followed!" --..--Like a shot Hal halted, trying to catch sight of his informant. "No, don't stop! Don't look this way, or you'll betray me," came the whisper. "But hurry! The deadliest danger hovers over yon in the next five minutes J Second Part. CHAPTER V. "A SPANIARD OF HONOR!" "Thanks!>' The acknowledgment, softly uttered as the warning, floated back over Hal Maynard's shotilder as he struck out on the double-quick for the water front. Once he turned. Over his shoulder he saw three indistinct figures following him down the street. Fast as he was traveling, the pursuers increased their speed until they seemed likely to overtake him. "Is this more of Vasquez's deadly work?" groaned Hal. "Will he never stop until he has destroyed me?" Cold perspiration oozed out on the boy>s forehead. He broke into a swift run. At this gait, he calculated that less than three minutes would bring him to the English brig's wharf. As he ran, he took a flying look over his shoulder. Hardly more than two hundred feet to the rear were the pursuers, their sandaled feet moving without noise. "I can beat them,,' thrilled Hal, putting on an even better spurt of speed. Just ahead was the water.front street. Here, a swift turn to the right, and a speedy dash would carry him to the wharf he sought. Trip! Hal's feet became entangled in something stretched across the sidewalk. He plunged, then fell tG the sidewalk, measuring !1is full length there. More quickly than he could rise, a figure darted ont of the doorway. Across the boy's body a man hurled himself. "You>]l fight for it-snre !'> vented Hal, gripping the stranger by the throat. They grappled, struggled, breath coming quick and short. Hal fought like a tiger. He quickly placed himself on top of assailant, but could not wrench himself loose. Soft sandals struck the sidewalk as the three shadows rushed upon the scene. Not pausing an instant, they hurled themselves into the melee. Many hands grappled the boy at once. Maynard fought with renewed fury, but what could he do against so many? One seized him by either arm and shoulder, another grasped his kicking feet. "Help! help! help! Thieves!,, roared the victim, but his captor-carriers did not even attempt to stifle his cries-the surest way of proving that they bad no reason to fear interference. Hal's first assailant now darted back into the doorway, unlocking a door, and making way for the squad to enter. Still kicking and squirming, Hal May nard was carried through the house and out into a courtyard at the rear. Here he renewed his shouts, with no other effect than to make his captors smile maliciously.

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14 STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. At the rear of the yard a gate was unlocked. Hal Maynard involuntarily crossed a second yard, after which those who carried him entered another house. Here he was carried into one of the rooms, and unceremoniously dumped upon the floor. "You stay there," muttered he who appeared to be the spokesman, "unless you are foolish enough to try to escape." "What would be the use?,, grated Hal, inwarilly. "They wouldn't be so sure of me if there was a dog's chance to crawl OU t.,, The spokesman went out, but the other three remained. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling! tinkled a bell in another room. "A telephone," conjectured Hal. "Will Senor Enrique Vasquez be at the other end of the wire?,, Though he listened intently, he could not hear the words spoken ntot11e receiver. Pre
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S'l'AURY FLAG WEEKLY. 15 long thrill of pride that he is part and 11arcel of the Stars and Stripes?" "Bah!" retorted Vasquez, impatiently. "Shall I tell you what your greatest fault is?" "If you care to." "You Americans are not honest," went 011 the Spaniard. "You lie, cheat and steal, always pouring the pesetas or dollars into your pockets, and laughing at the more simple more honest people of other nations from whom you derive yom dishonest profits. Nowhere do yon fiud easier victims than the old-fashioued, -simple, trusting, generous, honest Spaniards." "Of whom I suppose you are one?" "Of whom," repeated Vasquez, sadly, "I am one." Hal could not keep back the burst of laughter that sprang to his lips. "Why do you laugh'?'.' demanded Vas quez, angrily. "Because yon have duped rne so easily?" "Because yon have duped yourself so t!asily," retorted Hal, with spirit. "You vaunt your honesty, you who have never earned an honest dollar in your whole career. You, a simple, trusting man, when you cannot look back upon a single month in twenty years when you have not used the fear of fire or the assassin's knife to inforce the payment of --exorbitant claims against Americans who were new to the island! When you look into your own heart, Vasquez, can you blame me for laughing at yonr pretenses?" But Hal did not laugh now. His voice rang with a scorn and contempt that were too deep for merriment. "Your employer owed me money," went on Vasquez, plaintively. "He has paid you far more than he ever owed you. That I know from the
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16 STAltRY FLAG WEEKLY. Then his voice became sarcastic, as he went on: "Se11or, do you know how we Span_ianls love you Yankees? Do you realize what happiness it would give us to caress you? To caress each and every une of your people-to caress them so?" Pausing in his agitated walk, Vasquez drew a ktlife, making a significa11t gesture of cutting a throat. 1'That is the way we would like to treat all you Yankees," went 011 the Spaniard. "No! I mistake. That would be much too quick a punishment. We must be more ingenious in our punishment of the impudent Yankees-eveu as I propose to deal with you now." Under that fierce, malicious gaze, Hal Maynard felt himself growing "creepy." It did not afford him much satisfactio11, even, to see Vasquez put away his knife, for the Spaniard's word and manner left little don bt that the knife won Id be put aside only in favor of a more fear ful method of revenge. "Senor, I ask you, for the last time, what did you do with the mouey ?'' "AndI refuse to tell you a word." "Did you understand that I was asking for the last time?" ''Yes!'' Hal fairly hurled the short, defiant retort. As Senor Vasquez realized that it was too late for parley, he raised his voice, shouting: "Pedro! Jose!" Instantly the door opened. Vasquez's four agents filed into the room. "Bind the pig! Gag him!" directed the Spaniard, trem nlonsly. These orders were swiftly carried out, for, though Hal Maynard struggled man fnlly, he was like clay in the hands of so many desperate fellows. Weights were tied to his feet. "He is ready," voiced Vasquez, glar-ing at last at his helpless foe. "Pedro, open the shutters over there." Then Hal was lifted and carried to the window. Out he was thrust, face down, his startled eyes gazing down at the muddy water of Havana harbor but a few feet below him. "Ready, my good fellows?" quivered Vasquez. "Ready, senor!" "Then drop him!" Through the darkness of the night shot a human form. Plash! Hal Maynard's bound and weighted form sank below the foul waters. He had gone to share, in a different way, the fate of the Maine heroes! CHAPTER VI. CUBA'S NF,W RECRUIT. Rub! rub! rub! Chafe! chafe! chafe! Under the shed over a wharf -one human figure bent over another. Rub! rnb! rnb! With the quiet but energetic heroism of common humanity, the rescuer strove to bring back the spark of life to a young man only just snatched from the engulfing waters. "It is odd, strange!" muttered the ber, pausing for an insta11t to look at the lifeless figure. "Can it be possible that I was too late-or that I am t oo clumsy?'' He bent anxic;rnsly over the still figure. 1'1t would be a great thing to fool Senor Vasquez," murmured the Cuban, for such he was. "Moreover, I would like greatly to save this American, who trusted me even as I trnsted him.'' For some minutes more he continued to chafe the wrists and body of Hal May nard. "A sip or two of brandy might save him-but how shall one get brandy,

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8T,\,ImY WEEKLY. 17 Y' which costs twenty-five pesetas a bottle? Perhaps--" But Juan Ramirez suddeuly and resolutely checked the thought that perhaps he might be justified in using some of the money intrusted to hin1 by our hero. "He said that belo11ged to another. Therefore he would not thank me to use some of it to save his life." Such was the simple creed of honor of th is Cu ban. He was soon rewarded, however, by a flutter of the eyelids, a sig11 from the uu conscious one. "Santa Maria! He still lives i" cried tbe Cuban, now overjoyed, a11d working as if his own life depended upon the result. A minute later Hal Maynard opened his eyes. Juan bent so low over 11i111 that, despite the darkness, our hero recognized his rescuer. "Ramirez?" he 111un11ured. "At your service, Senor A111ericano." "But I was dropped into the harborweighted." "And I, se11or, was fortunate enough to be near by." Hal blinked stupidly, having by no means recovered his wits as yet. "Rest easily, and breathe freely," counseled the Cuban. "Do 11ot try to move yet. Do not even try to think." -Hal obeyed, lying there for two or three minutes before he tried again to speak. "Where are we now?" he asked, finally. "Senor, I would caution yon not to speak above a whisper. We are both in danger, if some unfriendly prowler should overhear us. Let me raise you-so. Now, do you see the buil
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S'l'ARllY FLAG WEEKLY. would :io for an American,'' was the quiet reply. "I offer you one more service before leaving yon. You were bound to some ship?" "The British brig, Emeline Atwood." "I know her berth. I will lead you there. Once on board, you should be safe. Come; I will show you the way, senor.'' "'Wait just one instant," implorecl Hal. "Ramirez, such friendship as you have shown to-day is seldom met with. Pardon me if I seek to learn something about you." "There is little to tell," responded the Cuban. "I love this people and their island, for I am one of them. I have done, as perhaps you have guessed, all in my power to serve Cuba. You see, senor, I do not hesitate to trnst you. You will wonder why one of my sentiments is not in the Cuban army. I will answer that question before yon ask it. It is forbidden to a Cuban to join our patriot army un less he can bring with him a gun and so111e ammunition. When I can do that, I shall leave Havana and take to the long grass where the insnrgeuts, if not as thick as locllSts, are fighting as bravely as lions. Beyo11d that I can tell you little, except that I have no li'ing relatives. All have died of star\'ation, and my greatest dread is that I shall starve before I am ready to strike out for the long grass.'' Sim pie and brief as Ramirez's statement was, it wa;; the eloquent account of a patriot who would die for his cause and country, and who would die with eqnd cheerfulness, either of stanation in Havana, or under arms in the field. There were tears in Hal's eyes as he heard the simple story. But Ramirez cut short his reflections by saying: ''Senor, not all of our danger is behind us. If you are going to the English ship, let me advise you that we should start at CMJCe. '' "Just one more question before we go," interposed Hal. "Yon spoke of a gun and ammunition. Can they be obtained here in Ha van a?" "When one has the price, senor." "And what is that price?'' "Well, if I had twenty-five dollars I could buy a rifle and a pocketful of cartr;dges. But, why speculate? Tweuty fiye dollars is not to be found.'' "You are right," responded Hal. "Let us find the brig." Ramirez guided him from the wharf and led l11m down a dark street, halting every few steps to make sure that they .... were not being followed. Of a sudden, the Cuba11, every instant alert, dragged our'hero into a doorway. "Here comes the patrol,'' whispered Juan. Hal listened, yet it was some moments befpre he could hear the tramp of soldiers. "Your hearing is wonderful," he whispered. "It is said," replied Ramirez, "that sta1vation quickens all the sell ses." "And yon are starving?" uttered Hal, feeli11g as if he were choking. "Far from it," was the answer. "I ate a quarter of a loaf of bread the day before yesterday." "And since--" -.......__ "I have had several drinks of water, but it was warm and therefore not palata-ble.'' Tenible as this statement was, it was made quietly, without the least trace of a desire to parade misery. Tears glistened in Hal Maynard's eyes. He was about to speak when Ramirez cut him short by whispering: ''I find that this door behin
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S'l'AlrnY FLA.G WEEKLY. 19 as a score of Spanish regulars or volun teers marched by. Only a few yards further on they heard the command halt. Then followed a dialogue between au officer and a belated pedestrian. It was soon evident that the latter could not give a satisfactory account of himself, for they heard the officer break in sharply: "Enough! Step in between the files. You shall tell the rest of your story at the Prefatura. '' Tramp, tramp! sounnor," whispered Ramirez, adding, when he saw Hal's look of surprise: "The money that you intrnsted to me I left with friends. Do not be uneasy. In twenty minutes you should see me back.'' Before Hal could grasp his hand to wrh1g it, Ramirez had glided off in the shadows. "Of all the true hearts in the world," gasped Maynard, admiringly. "Will he come back? I wish I were as sure of heaven!" Without a doubt regarding Ramirez, our hero turned aud went aboard the bi rig. Only three words of introduction were needed to secure a warm grasp from Cap t a in Blodgett's hand: "I'm an American." "And left behind, eh?" demanded the captain. "We sail 11t midnight; Norfolk; there's plenty of room aboard." "May I speak coufidentially with you, sir?" asked Hal. "Of course. They conversed in rail for ten minutes. low tones by the After that they turned, looking shoreward. At le11gth, Ramirez appeared. No sooner

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20 STAHRY FLAG WEEl\LY. served an American. And now I must take my leave of _this vessel." "I also," replied Hal, risi11g. "You?" echoed Ramirez, amazed, while Captain Blodgett looked gravely on. "Certaiuly," rejoined Hal; "I am going with you." "With me, senor? Where, may I ask?" ':To the Jong grass, if you will take me.'' "Yon? SautaMaria! Do you mean, senor, that--" He paused, utterly bewildered, but Hal Maynard finished, quickly: "Ramirez, I saw a man when I met you. I am anxious to prove my own manhood. I offer myself as a recruit to fight Spain!" CHAPTER VII. THE TEMPTATION OF PEDRO. Had a born bshell exp laded near the Cuban, he could not have been more excited. "You a recruit?" he gasped. "Why not?" laughed Hal. "Am I not healthy enough, or do you fear that I would run at the first fire?" "Senor, you would be a valuable recruit, bnt yon are uot a Cuban." "ls that a disqualification?" "But this rebellion is not your affair, senor. You belong to a free people, and have no need to fight for Cuba." "There are already many Americans who take a different view. With Maximo Gomez a11d Calixta Garcia there are scores, if not hundreds, of Ap1erica11 citi zen
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STARIW FLAG wEER'.LY. 21 of myself that I am not fit to walk. But to you, captain, I offer a thousand thanks for your hospitality, and a thousand apologies for the spectacle I have made of myself. "I shall hold together until to-mor row," 'murmured Hal, rising with a sat isfied a1r. "Captain, my most earnest thanks.'' Now the bustling steward came back with two parcels of food which he helped the young men to stow away under their jackets. Captain Blodgett, hearty, if somewhat taciturn, followed them to the deck, slipping into Hal's hand a receipt for the money, which he undertook to forward to its destination. "The best of good luck, lads," came in an earnest whisper from the English captain, as he offered each a hand at the same time. They stepped ashore, Ramirez acting as guide. Of all that followed, during the next two yours, Hal had, at the end of that time, only the vague recollection that follows a dream. But they reached tl1e southern outskirts of Havana without ]l!Jishap; they trudged along a dusty country road, dodging behind trees or into the brush whenever Ramirez's acute hearing warned them of tfie presence or approach of military. "Do you see those lights ahead?" queried Juan, at last. "Yes." "Those lights come from the Inn of the Red Cavalier. It fa the inn where Spanish officer::; dine when they return from the interior well provided with plunder taken from those who had yet something left to lose. Judging by the sounds, there are officers dining there now." "A good place to keep away from, eh?" querieil Hal. "By no means, senor. Keep close to me, and I hope to show you that such places as t1ie inn are useful to the insurgents.'' Ramirez left the road, plunging into the depths of a grove. The nearer he came to the inn the more slowly he moved. Frequeut bursts of laughter were now audible from the inn. "They are happy, the Spanish fiends," muttered Juan, -grating his teeth. "Yet, senor, they are feeding on the very blood of Cuba!" Rattle of dishes -and clink of glasses came to the ears of the listeners. Outside the inn were tethered some two score of horses, while soldius lolled about over the ground, some eating bread, while others puffed at cigarettes. "Twenty of our own brave Cuban fel lows could stop that gayety forever," growled Ramirez, savagely. "But there are at least forty of the enemy," observed Hal. "lt is no matter. Twenty of our men would do. But hush! There is the gleam of a soldier's musket-a sentinel. Senor, do not make a sonnd that will betray us.'' Forward, a foot at a time, 1110ed the pair, while 11ot even a blade of grass rus tled under their feet. So qnietly did they move, in fact, that, aided by the rlarkness and shadow of the grove, they gained a spot within less than thirty feet of the pacing sentinel. Halting, Ramirez looked long and anxiously at this uniformed son of Spr:iin. When the Cuban placed his mouth close against our hero's ear, it was to whisper: "Senor, that soldier is one whom I know, for I have long had my eyes upon him. If all goes well, we shall soon have two gnus. If I :nn decehed, our lives are not worth a peseta. If yon hesitate, go back, and I will take the chance alone."

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STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. "Go back?" whispered Hal. "Not when you go forward!" Ramirez's black eyes danced as he nodded. Then, craning his neck forward, he whispered, sharply: ''Pedro! Pedro Escarillaz '' In an instant, the sentinel halted, turning his head. "If money will do you any good, Pedro Escarillaz, come here." Quick as a flash, the soldier's rifle flew tu his shoulder. Then, reconsidering, he walked slowly toward the grove. "Who called?" he asked. "Men who have money," answered Juan. "If you happen to be hungry, you will be glad that we have called you." Hal felt thunderstruck. "Is this Cu ban crazy?" he wondered, ha.rdly knowing whether to run or stand his ground. But the next second brought better counsel. Up to the present, Juan had proven himself very far removed from a iunatic. Nevertheless, Maynard felt cold shivers running up and down his spine as he realized that slight warning from this sentinel would bring the whole Spanish force down upon them. "Who are yon?" wl1ispered the sentinel, stopping squarely in front 'of thelll. He held the muzzle aimed at them, ready to fire at the slightest sign of need. Yet that muzzle waYered slightly, as if the Spaniard's fingers, tightly gripping stock and lock, were twitching. "The Spaniard is more afraid than I am," muttered Hal, inwardly. "I guess it's the wrong time for me to get rat tled." Though the talismanic word "money" had brought the soldier a little off his beat, it was plain that he feared some snprrise, for he not only gazed keenly at his two accosters, out tried to peer over their shoulders into the darkness beyond. "You called me?" he demanded, in a voice that conld uot have been heard twenty feet off. "Yes," answered Juan, coolly. "We need your services. We can pay for them. Could you use money if you had it?" "Carramba !" muttered the fellow, his eyes gleaming. "Could I not?" "Very well, Pedro Escarillaz; we do not wa11t much-only two rifles and a hundred cartridges." "Carr-r-r-r-rajo swore his breath. "lt is death way." Pedro, under to talk that "Then you cannot serv us?" de manded Juan, in a voice that sounded all bnt indifferent. "How much do you offer?" asked the soldier, suddenly. "Fifty dollars." "Fifty dollars for a gun and car tridges?" Private Escarillaz. "It is too 1 i ttle." "That would be altogether too much," retorted Ramirez, imperturbably. "The price that I have offered mnst be for two Mauser rifles and a hundred cartridges." "Say seventy-five dollars," proposed the soldier, "and I may be able to help you. But for less it cannot be done." "'rhen, Perdo Escarillaz, I wish you good-night," answered Juan, performing a half wheel. ".Not so quick," uttered the soldier, warningly. "Suppose I were to call the guard? Yun wonld lose your money and your lives." "True," admitted Juan, composedly; "but then yonr officers wonld get the money, and you would get nothing. If you make a trade with us-why, just think what yon could do with so much money." "If I only knew how to accomplish it," murmured Pedro, his dark eyes snap-

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l:l'L'AHRY FLAG WEEKLY. 23 ping at thought of the good times he
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24 STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. "I have." "Well?" "'!'hey number at least sixty." "No matter!" grated Juan. "\Ve can worry them. We shall be killed, of course, but perhaps we can settle three or four of their men first.'' "See here," remonstrated Hal. "I'm ready for fighting, but not for suicide.', "It is the way we Cu bans fight," rejoined Juan, proudly. "We care not what the number of the enemy. \Ve always fire when we see one.,, "We'll fire, then, if you say so," agreed Hal. ''If you asked my opinion, though, I should say that we had better wait until we have had a chance to offer ourselves at the nearest Cuban camp." Juan fixed his wide open eyes on our hero for an instant. "I have no doubt you are right, mi amigo," he said, an instant later. "Our Cuban blood is too hot. We lack the cool judgment of you Americanos. Senor, will you take command?" "Until we reach camp, if you wish it." "I beg you to do so.''. "Very well; though I warn you,'' smiled Hal, "that I shall not give the order to attack thirty times our number." Juan sighed, but remained silent. "They are going to march by withi11 a hundred feet of us," whispered Hal, following the course of the ravine. Juan grasped his rifle tightly to still the trembling of his fingers. By this time, the head of the column was within five hundred feet. At the head rode a half a dozen mounted Spanish officers. Behind them marcheri a captain and two lieutenants in command of the infantrymen. Tattered and dusty-looking were these soldiers. Many of them limped, as if used up by a long forced march. Just at tlie foot of the hill from which Hal and Juan glared from covert, the captain, at a sign from one of the 11101111ted officers, cried: "Halt!" It was a popular order, as the relieved faces of the men instantly showed. "Break ranks." Arms were stacked, four sentinels mounted, a11d the horses Just at that moment, two dust-covered troopers rode up the ravine from the direction of Havana. They dismounted before the captain, talking with h'im in quick murmurs. "My colonel," called the captain, saluting one of the mounted officers, "the scouts tell me that there are none of the enemy within forty miles." "I do not believe there are any rebels nearer, captain," laughed the colonel. "So let your poor fellows get some of the rest they need so badly. True, we have no breakfast to offer them, but I have caugh sight of a stream through the trees. Let those who would like to take a swim." No proposition cquld have met with greate r fa\or. As with one accord, the soldiers began to move off between the trees, while the scouts cantered away. "You four,,, cried the captain, selecting a qnartette of his men, "will hurry up with your swim, and return here to relieve the sentinels, that they, too, _1u.ay have a pl1111ge." With tlie men went their officers, nine in number. The heat of the day made cold Water a luxury that conld not be resisted. Down in the camp, with the horses a11d stacked arms, remained only the four sentinels. Even these looked wistfully through the trees as the shouts and plashing of water came to their ear;;. "Jupiter f,, whispered Hal, his eyes beginning to sparkle. "I'm beginning to feel some of the Cuban hot blood mysdf. ''

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i:lTARRY FLAG WEERLY. 25 "If we could only capture that camp!" murmured Jnan, eagerly. To his intense delight, Hal made this whispered reply: "By thunder, we'll try it, if we go u11der for it!" "Oh, my brave friend," quivered Juan Ramirez, "you ha\'e spoken as our brave Gomez would speak!" For a few moments the heads of the two youths bobbed together i 11 earnest, whispered conversation. 'When they had finished, Juan crept off through the bushes with the stealth of an an. He reached a spot twenty feet away from our hero before he halted and signaled back. Through the bushes the muzzle of Hal's rifle protruded. As he aimed at one of the sentinels, a curious thrill swept over the American. He was about to take a life, and unfairly, it seemed, since he must fire from am bush upon an unsuspecting foe. Yet, even as he hesitated, the rentembrance came back to him of the evening before, -when a Spanish officer had proposed to send him over the fatal ferry to Morro Castle. The enemy would not hesitate; he must not. Besides, war consists of killing; war is gauged only by its successes. -With these thoughts surging through his mind, Hal Maynard steadied both hands and v1s1on. Crack! His rifle spoke, and the sentinel at whom he had aimed dropped and lay sti 11. Crack! Juan had waited only for this signal. Before the first had stuck the ground, the second had received his death-wound. Crack crack Right on the heels of the first two shots came the next pair. \ .. :Before the last two sentries had time turn, run or fire, they had met their fates. In a twinkling Hal was on his feet. The of battle was in his blood; the spirit of freedom possessed his soul as his voice rang out full and clear! "By platoon, battalion charge!" An answering yell came from Ramirez as that youth too leaped to his feet. Together they rushed down the hillside, shouting c.ommancls to au imaginary battalion. Crack crack crack crack crack! Without stopping to aim, they fired their repeating rifles through the trees as fast as they could. ''Viva Cuba Libre!" they shouted in unison. Through the woods came the startled yells of the bathing Spanish soldiers, just out of range of vision. Reaching the ravine, Hal made for one stack of rifles, Juan for another. Seizing each a rifle in either hand, they commenced discharging them two at a time in the direction of the creek. ''A 1 machete! al machete 1'' (To the sword!) roared Juan, keeping up a thun derous rattle of 11111sketry. "Snrround the enemy!" thundered Hal. "Give no quarter to Spaniards! Every foe killed to-clay is a foe the less to meet to-morrow." All the while the incessant banging of guns rang out. To the startled bathers by the creek it seemed as if they had fallen, naked aud unarmed, into fierce, one-sided battle. "Keep a-banging and a-shouting," muttered Hal, as he sped by Juan. Ramirez obeyed with a will, while Hal, though he still continued to y':"ll, busied his hands by gathering ap the rifles an arm fn 1 at a time. There was rope around in plenty among the ca111p baggage. Working like a Trojan, Hal quickly

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21 STAHR.Y FLAG WEEKLY. had thirty of the rifles lashed upon two of the horses. Juan turned and saw with blazing eyes what his comrade had accomplisl1ed. "The Spaniards are running,'' he quhered. "If it were not so, we wpnld have them on our hands by this time." And he worked like a beaver tv help Hal lash the remaining arms upon other horses. There were cartridge belts strewn around. These, too, were lashed across the saddles, as well as a few cases of am munition. "Here are four less oi the enemy for our men to deal with, '1 cried Juan, spurning with his foot the body of one of the four slain sentinels. "1t was a tremendous piece of cheek," blurted Hal, vaulting into one of the saddles, and seizing the halters of two led pack horses. "The Spaniards must still be running," chuckled Juan. "I imagine few of them their clothes,'' laughed 1110unt, my friend, mount! enemy halt--" stopped for Hal. "But When the "It will be a half an hour before they do," derided Ramirez. "Oh, mi amigo, you were born a master of strategy. Jt was magnificent-that charge of a battal ion of trees-that fnsilade fired by four hands!" "Into saddle! forward!" urged Hal. "It is our turn to laugh, now, but in sixty secollds it may not be. When the enemy discover the trick, rivers of blood would not satisfy them !'' Smiling grimly, with a full of the peril, Hal Maynard mou11t into a trot. realization urged his CHAPTER JX. BA 1'TLE IN EARNEST. "Viva Cuba Libre!,, Ramirez shouted tl1at stirring battle cry with the full streugth of his lungs. "Oh, it's just glorious!" declared Hal, turning his sparkling eyes upon his com rade. "Two recruits, with six horses and sixty rifles '' "Our comrades-that is, our comradesto-be-will embrace us!" uttered Juan. Click-clack 1 Hoofs rang out sharply on the stony bed of the ravine. ---"Even if they turn to follow, we are leaving the Spaniards behind," cried Juan. "Very likely; but what if we were to encounter a second body of the enemy here in this ravine? Our turn to laugh would be over?" That thought urged them to speed. When the ravine narrowed, Hal, with two of the led horses in tow, took the lead, Ramirez following closely. "Juan, my comrade!'' v "Si, mi amigo!" .... "We are coming out of the rav111e. There is a plain ahead.'' Three minutes more of hard trotting brought them out into open country, dotted here and there with small crroves b of palms. -...--.._ "Better halt," advised Hal, reining up. Ramirez did the same, without ques tioning. "Rope the horses a breast," directecl Maynard. "You can ride on one side of the line, I on the other. In that way we can keep the brutes at a gallop, if needed.'' Dismounting, they quickly accom plished this task. Within two minutes they were once more in saddle. "You must be our guide," suggested Maynard, as he settled down in saddle.

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STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. 27 11Where shall we find the nearest Cuban camp?" "I do not know," replied the Cuban. "I know where Major Alvaredo wc;s the day before yesterday, but-diablo !-the Cubans are not likely to camp 'for two hours in the same spot. All I can say, mi amigo, is that we had better ride eastward, trusting that we shall meet some pacifico who can tell us the way more particularly." "Forward, then!" From a trot they broke into a gallop, urging the pack horses on by liberal lashing with ropes. In two minutes more our friends had co3kered over half a mile. ''I heard yells,'' muttered Hal, looking backward over his shoulder. Ramirez looked, too, then broke into a hearty laugh. Back on a hill, near the mouth of the ravine, they saw a sight calculated to in spire mirth. Spanish soldiers, some of them nude and many half-dressed, dotted the hill. In the first fright of surprise, these men had fled. Then, finding that none of their number were killed, and that 110 foe pur sued, they had halted, turned about. They had probably found their four dead comrades, and must have divined, from the aLsence of such footmarks as a battalion would have made, that they had been tricked. So they had pursued until now they had reached a spot whence they were able to see the exact strength of the attacking force. Frantic shouts now rent the air, reaching our young friends even at that distance. In the lead of all the Spaniards, Hal could make out the uniform of the Spanish colonel. "He seems mad," observed Hal, quiz zically. ''If those soldiers were close at hand, unar'lned though they are, they would make things hot for us." Ramirez nodded, his face darkening. "Mi amigo," he suggested, tremulously, "suppose we stop and give them fight." "With these horses aud all these gtms destined for the insurgents?" demanded Hal. "My frienc1-nit We have no right to risk losing such splendid supplies.'' ''At least,'' begged Ramirez, ''let 11s halt and fire a half a dozen shots into them." "Fire at unarmed men?" retorted Hal. "Not while I'm here to stop it." "Mi amigo, you are right," replied Juan, with an air of self-reproach. "But do not lame me. We l1ave so much reason to hate that uniform of Spain that we cannot resist the temptation to fire upon it wherever we see it." ''I don't blame you,'' nodded Hal. "But my grievances against Spain are of such receut date that I can wait for fair fig ht." No attempt was made by the Spaniards to pursue the pair across the plain. Such a chase would have been futile, anyway, for jaded men are no match for galloping horses. In another half hour the foe were left five miles to the rear. Our young friends, too, liad come to the end of the plain. Before them stretched a gradual slope leading up into the hills. "I think we can halt to breathe our horses," proposed Hal. "What do you say?" Ramirez, nodding, both threw themselves out of saddle to stretch their legs. "It's odd that we haven't met a single passer-by," commented Hal. "What else would you expect?" demanded the Cuban, shrngging his shoulders. "Spain has burned down all the country homes, and driven the people into the cities. Even if pacificos had the courage to remain out here in the country, on what could they subsist? There is not enough food out here to feed a rat. "They would have almost as mttch to eat here as in the cities," remarked May nard, growing misty-eyed over the remembrance of the thousands of starving Cuban reconcentrados he had seen in Havana. "But we must go on, Juan. The more I think, the hotter my blood becomes. I shall not be happy .until I stand under the Cu ban flag." Ramirez stretch('d out his hand, grasping o .ur hero's warmly. "I can never forget, mi amigo,'' lie

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28 STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. murmured, huskily, "that it was you who gave me the happiness of being able to take to the long grass.'' Mounting again, Hal gave the signal to go forward. Up the slope they moved at a jogging gait, being compelled once more to lead their pack horses. Hal reached the highest 1and just in advance of his comrade. Like a flash Maynard wheeled "about. "Halt! Dismoul1t! Don't come to the top," he cried. "Tether your horses-so. Follow me. '' Rifle in hand, Hal led the way, Ramirez following without a word. ''Look down there,'' cried Hal. In a valley to the northward rested a squad of Spanish cavalry men, some twenty in number, and commanded by an officer. Ramirez looked, his eyes flashing with hate. The enemy were dismounted, with horses tethered. "We can fire now!" breathed the Cu ban. ''Those men are armed.'' "Wait!" warned Hal. "Come here. Now look down there." Down the southward slope of the hill, less than half the distance away of the dismounted cavalry was a sight that made the Cn ban's blood boil still hotter. Four pacificos, their hands bonnd and roped together, were slowly ascending the grade. Ahead of them rode three Spanish cavalrymen; behind the prisoners a like nu 111 ber of guards. "What do you say now?" quivered Hal. "The pacificos must be saved. They are to be taken to Havana or shot. The latter would be the most merciful fate." Ramirez spoke jerkily, at the same time swinging his rifle into position. "Not yet," commanded Hal. "Those fellows are coming this way. We can fire straighter when they are nearer. If they keep to their course, they will go by within fifty feet of here." "You command," grumbled Ramirez, "but ha. rd to wait." "It's common sense," declared the American. "If we were to fire now, a11d miss, the cavalry in the valley on the other side of the hill could reach here before the fight was over. We should be killed, and all to no purpose.'' "Yon have a planF' questioned Ramirez. "Thunder, yes!" "If it works as well as the other did my patience will be rewarded." ''Slip back to the horses. Get four more rifles-loaded ones." Ramirez vanished, though it hardly seemed as if he had gone, before he was back again. ''Here they are, senor, and loaded.'' "Good. Now crouch down, after placing two of the rifles at my side and two by yonr own side. Whatever you do, don't fire until I give the word." ..__ __.. Ramirez obeyed, though the snspense made him tremble. His eyes flashed like jewels as he saw the four Cu bans and their guard come nearer. "Surely they are near enough now to open fire," he whispered hoarsely. Bnt Hal shook his head emphatically. "No, 110, my comrade! \Vhen we fire, we must take 110 chance of missing. Now, not another word, bnt you will hear me whisper 'fire' when they are within a hundred feet. Yon take the fellow in the front rank on the extreme left." Juan protruded the muzzle of one of his weapons through the bushes that screened them from sight. He shook so with impatience as to make the bushes rattle. "Steady," whispered Hal. Ramirez, by a tremendous effort at patience, got a better grip on himself. Nearer, still nearer, came the six troopers and their captives. Hal himself found it hard to restrain the temptation to fire, though he held himself in check to the last. But at last the whispered word came: "Fire!" Two jets of flame shot ont from the bushes; two troopers reeled from saddle and fell. Crack! crack! Two more were down. Crack! crack! A fifth trooper fell, all within the space of five seconds. Ramirez, firing with the deadly aim of hatred, had brought clown all three of his men, but Hal missed at the third shot. "Car-r-r-r-r-rajo !" vented the solitary

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STAHRY FLAG WEEKL1'. 29 remaining trooper, wheeliug aud puttiug spurs to his horse. Crack! Ramirez fired agaiu, bringiug this fellow rown, too. Hal darted to his feet and started down the slope, Ramirez postiug after him. At the first sound of fire, the four pacificos had thrown themselves to the earth. Now they raised themselves, peering eagtrly at their rescuers. "You are friends of Cuba?', panted Hal. A hot chorns in the affirmative an swered him. "You will fight with us? There are more foes near.'' -'-'Si, si, si," (yes, yes, yes) cried one of the pacificos, while the other three raised a tumultuous shout of: "Viva Cuba libre !" Hal and Juan instantly b11sied them selves with freeing the quartette. "Follow us to the top of the hill at your best speed," yelled Maynard. He reached there ahead of the rescued ones, faced them, and shoved into the hands of each a rifle. As these were repeating weapons, each still contained several shots. Below, on the other side of the hill, an animated scene was going 011. The squad, a few moments before loll ing on the grass, had now sprung into saddle. Their officer was bawling himself hoarse with his rapidly delivered orders For a few seconds the squad seemed uncertain whether to flee or fight. ---HflJ kept his little force out of sight by making them crouch behind the bushes. "I have waited a year and more for snch a chance as this," sobbed one of the pacificos, kissing the barrel of his rifle, and Hal, looking the eniaciated wretches over, had no doubt that they would fight to the last breath. Juan slipped back to where the horses were tethered, returning with more cartridges. Hal, in the meantime, had restrained the others from firing. "It would do little good at this range,'' he explained, "and from what I have heard the Cubans are not so rich in aitimunition that they can afford to waste any." All the time he kept his eyes on the squad below. Their officer had decided npon an attack, for at a quick command from him the troopers spread out in skirmish line and advancd. Instantly the pacificos began to take eager aim. "Don't fire yet," ordered Hal. "But senor," pleaded one of the quartette, "it is so hard to see the Spaniards, and yet 11ot fire!" "1'he best :fighters," rejoined Hal, promptly, "are those who can keep cool and obey orders." "The senor is right, mi amigos," ejacttlated Ramirez. "Twice he has restrained my impatience, aud 111 consequence we won both times." Bang! A line of fire ran along the skirmish line below, the reports sounding as one. Whish! whish A tornado of whistling bullets tore through the leaves of the bushes that sheltered the little Cuban force. "Oh, mi amigo!" suddenly groaned Ramirez, turning white. For one of the bullets had struck Hal Mayunard. Up flew his hand to his forehead. In the next second he keeled backstretched ottt. CHAP'fER X. UNDER CUBA'S FLAG. "Ten lives shall not pay for that one!" exclaimed Juan But hardlv were his words ottt when Hal sat ttp, wiping away the blood from his forehead. "I'm a long ways from dead yet," he gritted, wiping away the blood. Ramirez ran to his side. His nervous fingers glided swiftly over the American's forehead, making quick examination of the wound. "Sauta Maria be praised!" the Cu ban. "The wou n
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30 S'rAURY FLAG WEEKLY. Well, I'm certainly feeling some fright," smiled Hal, his face more than a trifle pallid as he took another look down below at the squad trotting up ward. 'rhey were just aiming for another vol ley, those Spaniards, who were 11ow hard ly more than an eighth of a mile away. "Down!" warned Maynard, himself setti11g the example. He had no more than ducked when the volley came. "Up!" qmvered Hal. "Give 'em some of their own medic'.ne !" Six shots rang out, almost simultane ously. Two saddles ,.;ere emptied. "Keep a-pumpiug," ordered Hal, breathlessly, as he discharged his own piece as fast as he could work the mechanism. His own wound had been caused un doubtedly by a glanciug bullet, but this is the most pai11ful kind of injury. It maddened him, made him utterly reck less. Five more saddles were quickly emp tied By this time the firing wa:; general. Clack clack clack! rang the hoofs. The cavalry, firing at will like their op ponents, were now within a few yar
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\ STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. ; a !overed heads, 111un11uring si Jent prayers, wo of the pacificos covered the still form ver. There was 110 time to bury the Spanish slain . l fo,Jee<11 the Cubans, embit_tered by u01e thao three years of suffen11g under i a11ous war methods of Spai11, were little mood to do anything decent by he rema;ns of tl1e slain foe. "The Luzzards shall get them," cried J\1a11, disc ainfully. "The buzzards alone, Cuba, ao 11ot go h1111gry !" \As Hal's little command and co11s1derahle trai1} rnoved forward, our hero heard he story of the pacificos. ome fourteen months before they had broken away from Havana. Si11ce then hey had lived in hidiug in the woods, ubsistit1g mainly on roots and fruit. Once in a while they had received mor:pels of meat from passing bodies of Cnbau 1 But the law of the Republic of Cuba orbade them to join the army without eapous and ammunition, which was the only reason they had remained pacificos. 'l'hat very morning they had been sur prised and surrounded while sleeping. 1 Incapable of resistance for lack of arms, th ha been forced to surre11
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32 STAHHY FI..-1.G WEEKLY. and prisoners they brought him. "J ndg i11g from appearanc_es, you will be valu able recruits. vVhere do you come from?,, Major Alvaredo listened with dn interest that soon changed to amazement as he heard of the doings of the morning. By the time that the narration was over, he grasped our hero cordially by the hand. "Yon are ten times welcome, senor,,, he cried. "You want to see service against Spain? Carramba yon shall see it. And if I mistake not, senor Ameri.cano, my general, Calixta Garcia, will Teceive you as something more than a private soldier. You have won a co111if ever man did in our armies." "If there is a commission going a begging," smiled Hal, 1'it belongs to my guide and mentor, Juan Ramirez.,, "Oh, as to that," smiled the major, "there may be commissions enough for two.n With that they were conducted into the camp, where the major had about him eighty of the most daring riders in Cuba. Thus our hero had gained the Cuban ranks. He was destined to become one of the most famous frghters of them all. That night Hal Maynard slept under the flag of Free Cuba. Ent he dreamed of the coming of the Stars and Stripes! [THE mm.] Cuba is the scene of splendid de errs!; The: strnggle of her people for the Heaven-born boon of has comnunided the whole world's admira tion, just as the Starry Flag Weekiy's: series of Cuban war stories will win the hearty applause of all Ainerkan readers. Hal Maynard and Juan Ran1 played manly, dashing parts in th .at hot blooded struggle. What was perhaps their greatest exploit of all will be thrillingly told by Douglas Wells in "Gomez's Yan kee Scout; 0r, The Blow that Told for Cuba," .which will be complete in next week's Starry Flag Weekly, No. 2. This series will embrace by far tlre best Cuban war stories that will be published! IMPORT ANT ANNOUNCEMENT. It is the unchanging object f the publishers of the STARRY FLAG WEEKLY to have the best stories of adventure that can be procured, regardless of expense or trouble. Following this policy, the publishers decided some weeks ago to send Mr. Douglas Wells to Cuba. Mr. Wells, being an old campaigner, is accustomed to moving on short notice. Within two hours of the receipt of his orders he was speeding southward "under light equipment." Mr. Wells has spent many years of his eventfu I life in the armed camps of the world. He has spent many more years of his liftt in describing what he has seen, in works ranging all the way from history to romance. His long and varied experi ence, powers of observation, and knowledge ot human nature have all greatly aided him in knowing just what subjects to oepict, therefore, on reaching Havana he lost no time in getting to work. In the face of many difficulties he suc ceeded in obtaming permission to proceed into the intcrior1 and he was soon among the imurgents. Then lollowed days of hard, rough riding, scant sleep and poor and little food. He was. received by General Gomez, of the CubJn Army, and, after witnessing mllch of the Cuban drilling and so1ne of the fighting made his way from the island to Key West. Should war take pla e between the United t States and Spain all his lories will be written from the front. Readers of the STARRY FLAG WEEKLY will have the most accurate and truthflll pictures of the war, and those who are familiar with this author's thrilling style will understand that, while there may be other Cuban stories published, none will be equal to those which '!"ill appear in the STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. f Hal Maynard will be the hero, a bright, typif01 dashing American boy. As Napoleon once sail. that every soldier of France carried in his knapsack a marshal's baton, so every American boy has im planted in him the seeds of heroism, awaiting only the sunshine of opportunity for development. Tims Hal Maynard will be the representative ol all American boys, and our readers, in following his adventures, will see done exactly what they would do themselves were they in the hero's place. Young Americans will clo well to keep their eyes on the STARRY FLAG WEEKLY. It willoe in these columns they will find the best and most graphic stories of the war-stories that will be written by an author who enjoys tire somewhat rare distinction of knowing what he is writing about. Mr. Wells will not quit the front so long as the fighting goes on. Wlio can describe so well as he the marcl:! of great events this summer?